Wigan 30-24 Salford: Late Jai Field wonder try seals win for Warriors

A spectacular try from in-form full-back Jai Field late on sealed a 30-24 win for Wigan against Salford live on Channel 4 at the DW Stadium.

Brad O’Neill made his first appearance for Wigan this season as he filled in at hooker in the absence of Sam Powell, who served the first of his six-match suspension.

Field scored the game’s first try for the sixth time this season. It was a trademark Field try too, breaking the line and racing 50 metres to score.

Salford quickly hit back though through Fiji international prop King Vuniyayawa. Ryan Brierley converted to make the score 6-6 after 10 minutes.

The Red Devils took the lead in the 17th minute through former St Helens man Matty Costello. Scotland international Brierley added the extras.

But Wigan levelled the score five minutes later when a smart cut-out pass from O’Neill found Ellis who scored under the sticks.

Farrell put the Warriors back in front on the half hour mark when he ran a superb line to touch down, with Harry Smith converting.

Half-back Smith extended Wigan’s lead when he burst through a gap in the Salford defence to go over and convert his own effort. Matt Peet’s side were 24-12 to the good at half-time.

HT: Wigan Warriors 24-12 Salford Red Devils

Paul Rowley’s side gained some momentum at the start of the second half. They scored five minutes after the restart when prop Alex Gerrard got on the end of a Brodie Croft grubber.

And the visitors levelled the score again when winger Ken Sio intercepted Field’s pass to race 80 metres and score. Brierley’s conversion made the score 24-24 with 20 minutes left.

Field broke Salford’s hearts with two minutes to go. He picked up the ball near his 10-metre line to put his afterburners on and go the distance to score, with the support of Bevan French. Smith’s conversion wrapped up a 30-24 win for the Cherry and Whites.

FT: Wigan Warriors 30-24 Salford Red Devils

Wigan: Field; French, Thornley, Bibby, Marshall; Cust, Smith; Ellis, O’Neill, Byrne, Farrell, Bateman, Smithies. Subs: Mago, Partington, Havard, Shorrocks.

Tries: Field (2), Ellis, Farrell, Smith Goals: Smith 5

Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Costello, Williams; Atkin, Croft; Burke, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Addy, Watkins, Taylor. Subs: Ormondroyd, Gerrrd, Escare, Luckley.

Tries: Vuniyayawa, Costello, Gerrard, Sio Goals: Brierley 4